Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Pokémon Go an unlikely antidote to physical inactivity

Pokémon Go an unlikely antidote to physical inactivity
July 13, 2016

While distracted users have been the focus of safety fears, the global phenomena that is Pokémon Go is being praised as an unlikely antidote to physical inactivity.

Launched on 6th July in North America, the smartphone game, which uses augmented reality to send players in to public places to capture virtual Pokémon, has, as of today, topped 15 million downloads on Apple's App Store and Google Play, according to estimates from research firm SensorTower. 

One of the more unlikely outcomes of the wildly successful launch has seen many Pokémon Go players walking long distances each day to play the game, boosting their overall physical activity.

With online and virtual gamers widely considered to be among the least active of populations, players have been swapping their sofas for local public spaces as they head out in search of Pokémon to catch, with many taking to social media to celebrate their new-found levels of activity.

One user tweeted, "thanks to #PokemonGO I walked 5 miles (8 kilometres) and made eight new friends yesterday. This is the most active and social I have been in months."

Another tweeted, "knowing I've actually walked at least 8 miles (13 kilometres) within the past week is great considering I never leave the house."

Dr Michael Jonesco, a sports medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in the USA and author of Four Easy Ways to Get More Exercise, stated “anything that gets people up off their couch … and out in the real world moving around I think is a wonderful thing.”

Pokémon Go rewards players for their efforts in the physical world, with medals and other incentives for players who hit milestones such as 10 kilometres covered in one day.

Pokémon Go aligns with the growing trend towards gamification across the fitness sector, which began with the Nintendo Wii Fit, released in 2007, and has developed through popular apps such as Zombies, Run!

However, Pokémon Go appears to be inspiring higher degrees of activity than many previous exergames because this game requires users to walk around, whereas many previous exergames could actually be played with relatively little activity.

Pokémon Go is based on the sure of the player’s device camera, so that when they look at their smartphone, they see a Pokémon character superimposed over a real-world object, a feature known as augmented reality.

Unlike many types gaming, Pokémon Go is not a solitary experience with players already gathering for group walks, to collectively search for their rewards.

Lower image shows a Pokémon Go group walk in Perth this week.

25th May 2016 - WEXER TEAMS WITH FITNESS FIRST SUBSIDIARY TO EXPAND DIGITAL FITNESS

22nd April 2016 - BEACHBODY CREATES VIRTUAL, EXCLUSIVE FITNESS CONTENT FOR FITNESS ON DEMAND

13th October 2013 - MICROSOFT UNVEILS XBOX FITNESS PERSONAL TRAINING SERVICE

11th June 2009 - IN HOME PERSONAL TRAINER FITNESS WITH WII


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 

24/7 Software

The world's greatest properties run on 24/7 Software Whether at commercial properties, corporate facilities, sports arenas, or public entertainment venues, we're proud to lead the way in…

read more

Entertainment / Security / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

Momentus Technologies

About: Momentus Technologies is a global provider of industry-leading venue and event management solutions that empower organizations to create extraordinary moments. With over 50,000 users in more…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Hospitality / Technology / Venues

 
 

Goplay Commercial Playground Equipment

Goplay designs and manufactures specialised playground equipment for indoor play centres, hotels, food chains, clubs and resorts. If our years of experience and dedication have taught us one thing,…

read more

Play

 
 

APT Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…

read more

Environment / Sport / Surfaces / Technology

 
 

Elite Pool Covers

Since 1989 Elite Pool Covers have designed and manufactured an extensive range of high quality affordable manual,semi-automatic and fully-automatic pool cover systems for the harsh Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Technology / Venues

 
 

The Pool Enclosure Company

Now TPEC Pool Enclosures - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/tpec-pool-enclosures

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

Sportybots

We are the leading providers of kids fun multi-sports programs for Sport and Recreation Centres. Programs cover twelve common sports as well as Gross Motor Skill Development and suit children from as…

read more

Fitness / Play / Recreation / Sport / Wellness

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business